WATER FOR HYDROGEN
The production of hydrogen from water is a key step in the production of this important energy carrier.
There are different methods for the production of hydrogen, but the most commonly used electrolysis of water and the method of mating.
Electrolysis of water:
Electrolysis of water is a widely used method for the production of hydrogen from water. This process involves the separation of water molecules (H2O) into hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2) using electricity. The procedure is usually carried out in electrolyzers, devices containing two electrodes (anode and cathode) immersed in water.
– On the anode (positive electrode) oxidation of water takes place, creating oxygen (O2).
– At the cathode (negative electrode) water reduction occurs, producing hydrogen (H2).
Hydrogen is collected on the cathode and can be stored for further use. This procedure requires electricity in order to conduct electrolysis, therefore, the source of electricity is an important factor in the process.
Preparing water for the production of hydrogen requires special technologies to ensure high purity and minimal presence of impurities that can adversely affect the process of electrolysis or other methods of hydrogen production. Here are some technologies that are often used in the preparation of water for the production of hydrogen:
- Deionization: Deionization is a technique that removes minerals and impurities from water through ion exchange. Cations and anions are removed from the water, resulting in clean water that is almost completely distilled. This technique ensures a low concentration of salts and other impurities in the water.
- Reverse osmosis: Reverse osmosis is a technology that uses semi-permeable membranes to filter salts, impurities and other substances from water. This process results in highly purified water that is suitable for hydrogen production.
- Distillation: Distillation is a technique that uses the process of evaporation and condensation to separate water from impurities. Distillation is especially effective for removing impurities with a lower boiling point than water.
- Electrodeionization (EDI): Electrodeionization combines ion exchange and electrolysis to remove ions and impurities from water. This technique is effective for achieving high purity of water.
It is important to choose a water preparation technology that is compatible with the specific requirements of hydrogen production and that will ensure high water quality for a smooth and efficient production process.